DX90 will have a USB DAC/AMP feature? I thought it was USB OTG feature to get extra capacity.

Well they said they are developing USB-DAC functionality, I did not ask if the OTG functionality was still going to be provided unless both can be provided with the USB-DAC enabled when connected to a PC USB port and the OTG selected through the Directory menu.

If I were Ibasso, offer a DAP with balance output with the usual goodies and sell it around 900USD undercuts any flagship from competitors (Calyx, HifiMan, AK,) It might sell like hotcakes. Newbies might drawn into it thinking it's value for money.

Think about it, someone new coming in looking for Hi-end DAP will rely mostly on feature set. Ibasso would always come out at the top or near the top of the buyers list :)

Yeah, but if they want $900 bucks, they're gonna have to work harder on making their DAPs a bit sleeker than the housebrick style of the DX100.

Look at the Calyx-M. Yes, it has it's limitations, but it's not a massive brick.

Look at the AK120. Again, it has it's limitations, but it's not a massive brick.

ZX1....

I do understand why the DX100 (and HM-901) are bricks, but 18months or so later on, now, and people will expect something a bit sleeker for the money, considering that technology has moved on a bit (mobile version of ES DAC chip, for example). I don't mind a DAP being as wide and tall as the 901/DX100, but I just hope they can start to make flagships a bit thinner.

Yeah, but if they want $900 bucks, they're gonna have to work harder on making their DAPs a bit sleeker than the housebrick style of the DX100.

Look at the Calyx-M. Yes, it has it's limitations, but it's not a massive brick.

Look at the AK120. Again, it has it's limitations, but it's not a massive brick.

ZX1....

I do understand why the DX100 (and HM-901) are bricks, but 18months or so later on, now, and people will expect something a bit sleeker for the money, considering that technology has moved on a bit (mobile version of ES DAC chip, for example). I don't mind a DAP being as wide and tall as the 901/DX100, but I just hope they can start to make flagships a bit thinner.

I agree, thickness is the biggest problem. Otherwise I would be listening to my music from R10 right now

Yeah, but if they want $900 bucks, they're gonna have to work harder on making their DAPs a bit sleeker than the housebrick style of the DX100.

Look at the Calyx-M. Yes, it has it's limitations, but it's not a massive brick.

Look at the AK120. Again, it has it's limitations, but it's not a massive brick.

ZX1....

I do understand why the DX100 (and HM-901) are bricks, but 18months or so later on, now, and people will expect something a bit sleeker for the money, considering that technology has moved on a bit (mobile version of ES DAC chip, for example). I don't mind a DAP being as wide and tall as the 901/DX100, but I just hope they can start to make flagships a bit thinner.

I would very much prefer this 'The better the dac chip , the thinner it is' rather than 'The better the dac chip , the thicker it is'

and I'm not suggesting that a flagship DAP has to be as powerful as the DX100 - there's loads of desktop gear (and portable amps) with enough power to drive thirsty cans, but a single-box DAP need not be quite that powerful, because users seeking a single-box solution will mostly be using IEMs or CIEMs with it, whilst walking / traveling. So, the battery pack can, potentially, be a bit smaller.

I'm not suggesting the 15mw approach of the Sony NW-ZX1, but somewhere around 100mw - 200mw @16 ohms

I'm not suggesting the 15mw approach of the Sony NW-ZX1, but somewhere around 100mw - 200mw @16 ohms

But you start getting into 200mw and again you need a larger battery and there goes the size. Right now with the batteries that we will most likely have for the foreseeable future, you will have bulk. So maybe a top DAP with lower output power and one that is larger with more output power. If someone is going to use an amp because they want more power then you might as well get a good dap with more power or get the lower output power one and add the amp and you are back to the same size as what people are referring to as bricks.

Frankly, the DX100 and the HM901, to me, are not bricks. They are an all in one that does a great job. I don't find them difficult at all to put into a pocket of a light jacket or the cargo pocket of my pants. If you want ultra light and for IEM then get a smaller dap and add a amp if you need it but you can't have both in one at this time. I do think the DX90 is going to offer some very decent power and with the Sabre dual dacs, well, I think it will put the 2000 dollar daps on their head.

But you start getting into 200mw and again you need a larger battery and there goes the size. Right now with the batteries that we will most likely have for the foreseeable future, you will have bulk. So maybe a top DAP with lower output power and one that is larger with more output power. If someone is going to use an amp because they want more power then you might as well get a good dap with more power or get the lower output power one and add the amp and you are back to the same size as what people are referring to as bricks.

Frankly, the DX100 and the HM901, to me, are not bricks. They are an all in one that does a great job. I don't find them difficult at all to put into a pocket of a light jacket or the cargo pocket of my pants. If you want ultra light and for IEM then get a smaller dap and add a amp if you need it but you can't have both in one at this time.

Yeah, I just meant anywhere in the range - 101mw (into 16 ohms) would be fine, if that's the way to stop it being a brick! LOL

Calyx-M is 70mw

I am a fan of the DX100, but it's not a DAP you can put in the pocket of your jeans and walk around town with. In a jacket pocket, during winter, yes, but not in your jeans during summer.

I realise lots of people use the DX100 HM901 on their work desk or bedside table, though.

X5 is fairly compact but offers respectable power output (not sure what the figure is, into 16 ohms):

Seriously, though... I wear average 'easyfit' jeans (not skinny fit, not loose/baggy fit, just plain ordinary easy fit) and a DX100 (which is basically identical in size to an HM-901) was a no-go for walking around with it in either my front or back pocket!

All I can say is if anyone wants to disbelieve me, that's their prerogative, but don't come crying, saying I didn't warn ya! LOL!

DX50 is (in an ideal world) about the maximum size I'd be willing to go, in terms of walking around with the DAP in a jeans pocket, during summer.